Huntsville gazette., 1887-11-12
SPRINGFIELD, Ill, November IL

crowds surrounded the bulletins which
have been posted in the newspaper Offices.
The general verdict is that the governor ex-
tended all the clemsncy he could do under
the circumstances Some are disposed to
rail at what they term the governors soft
heartedness, but the majority considered
the justice of the result. George Schilling
wired at once to Capt Black and the Am
nesty association Office.
Governor Oglesby was interviewed by q
reporter for the United Press, but refused
to talk on the decision, saying his opinion,
which would be given out at O'Clock,
would fully cover all that could be said.
Tho hnal decree concerning the doomed
Anarchists was autographed to Sheriff Mat
son by the governor at O'clock In the
afternoon. The formal decree bearing the
great seal Of the state was taken to Chicago
last night on the o'clock train by the gov
srnor's son and private secretary, Robert
Oglesby, who were met at the depot by
Sheriff Matson, who formally received the
warrant Of the state to execute Fischer, En-
gel, Parsons and Spies.
The governor seemed very much affected
by the adverse decision in regard to the
men, which he felt himself compelled to
give. His good natured face, usually beam
ing with smiles, bore q sorrowful look of
mingled firmness and pity; to sign the death
writ of those men had evidently cost him
many a mental struggle, and often his be-
nsvolent heart must have hesitated between
the soft plsadings of pity and mercy, and
the cold demands Of unrelentingiustioe
That the decision was the last result OF the
most careful, thoughtful and even prayer
ful consideration on the part of Richard j.
Oglssby cannot be doubted.
The following is the complete text Of the
governors opinion in the case:
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
SPRINGFIELD, Ill, Nov. 10, 1887.
ION the Goth day Of August, 1855, in the
Cook county criminal court. August Spies,
Albert R. Parsons Samuel Fields1, Michael
Schwah Adolph Fischer. George Eagel and
Louis Lingg were found guilty by tho ver-
dict Of the jury and afterwards sentenced to
b hanged fer tie murder Of Matthias J.
Desan.
IAN appeal was taken from such finding
and sentence to the supreme court Of the
state. That court, upon q 6nal hearing,
and after deliberations, unanimously AZ
6rmsd the Judgment Of the court below.
The case now comes before me by petition
Of the defendants for consideration as gov
srnor Of the state, II the letters Of Albert
Parsons. Adolph Fischer, George Eagsl and
Louis Lin2S, demanding unconditional re-
lsase, or, as they express it, ''liberty or
DEATH" and protectin. in the strongest
language against mercy or Communication OF
sentence pronounced against them, can be
considered petitionA Pardon. could it be
granted, which might imply any guilt
whatever on ths part Of either Of them,
would not be such vindication, Is they de-
mand executive intervention upon the
grounds insisted upon by the four above
named persona could IN no proper sense b.
deemed an exercise of the constitutional
power to grant reprisvss unless based upon
the belief on my part of their entire inno-
cencs OF the orims Of which they stand con-
victed.
IA careful consideration of the evidence
in the record of the trial Of the parties, a.
we'll as Of alleged and claimed for them out
side Of the record has failed to produce upon
my mind any impression tending to i'm
peach the verdict Of the jury of the judg-
ment of the trial court or of the supreme
court affirming the guilt Of all the parties.
Satisfied, therefore, as l am Of their guilt, l
am prscluded from considering the question
OF Communication Of the sentences Of Albera
r. Parsons Adolph Fischer, George Eng0l
and Louis Lingg to imprisonment in the
penitentiary, as they emphatically declare
they will not accept such communication.
Samuel Fielden, Michael Schwab and
August Spies unite in petition for e1ecu-
tive clemency. Fieldsn and Sch wab, in ad-
dition, present separate and supplementary
petitions for the Communication OF their sen-
tences.
"While, - stated above, | am satified OF
the guilt Of all the parties as found by ths
verdict Of the jury, which was sustained by
the judgments of the courts, most careful
consideration Of the whole subject leads me
to the conclusion that the sentence of the
law as to Samuel Fielden and Michael
Schwab may be modified as to each of them
in the interest of humanity and without
doing violence to public justice
"And as to the said Samuel Fis'den and
Michael Schwab, the sentence is &C mmuted
to Imprisonment in the penitent.ary for
life.
"As to all the other above nar ed defen-
dants, do not feel justified in interfering
with the sentence of the court.
"While | would gladly have come to a
different conclusion in regard to the SEN
tence OF defendants. August Spies, Adolph
Fischer, George Engel, Alfred r. Parsons
and Louis Lingg, | regret to say that under
the solemn sense Of the obligations Of my
office, have been unable to do 50.
ORCHARD j. OGLEsBY, Governor"
George Schilling received dispatch from
Capt Black to the effect that the bombs
thrown had been located in New York, and
asking the governor to grant respite Of a
few days till investig alton could be heard
The governor said that he had already re-
csived a similar telegram from New
York.
SC 1
%@ IA Ga